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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Social Work Schools in New Jersey

12 Colleges in the United States
1,708 Social Work Degrees Awarded
$43,343 Avg Early-Career Salary

Social Work programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for social work students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Social Work in New Jersey

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall social work education in New Jersey.

Top Schools in Social Work

1

Rutgers University New Brunswick tops our 2026 ranking of the best social work schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 775 social work degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $67,673. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the social work program at Rutgers University New Brunswick

2

Rutgers University Newark is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social work, ranking #2. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 82 social work students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University Newark in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Rutgers University Newark generally make around $47,081. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full social work program report for Rutgers University Newark

3

A rank of #3 makes Brookdale Community College one of the top schools for social work. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 33 social work students who graduated with this degree at Brookdale Community College in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,458. Read more about the social work program at Brookdale Community College

4

Students looking for a strong social work program will find one at Rutgers University Camden, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Rutgers University Camden awarded about 42 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $47,081 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the social work program at Rutgers University Camden

5
Centenary College crest
Centenary College
Hackettstown, NJ

Centenary College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Set in the suburb of Hackettstown, Centenary College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Centenary College graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 social work students who graduated with this degree at Centenary College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Centenary College generally make around $46,520. Students borrow a median of $20,476 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social work from Centenary College

6
Monmouth University crest
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ

Monmouth University landed the #6 spot for social work this year. Located in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Monmouth University graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 82 social work students who graduated with this degree at Monmouth University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $51,318 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full social work program report for Monmouth University

7
Seton Hall University crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ

Seton Hall University earned the #7 position for social work this year. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 34 social work degrees were awarded at Seton Hall University in the most recent year. Students who receive their social work degree from Seton Hall University earn around $49,824 in the first couple years of their career. Seton Hall University graduates carry a median of $25,721 in student loans. Get the full social work details for Seton Hall University

8
Camden County College crest
Camden County College
Blackwood, NJ

Camden County College earned the #8 position for social work this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Blackwood. There were roughly 21 social work students who graduated with this degree at Camden County College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Camden County College earn around $24,616 in the first couple years of their career. Camden County College graduates carry a median of $9,219 in student loans. Get the full social work details for Camden County College

9

Ramapo College Of New Jersey earned the #9 position for social work this year. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Ramapo College Of New Jersey graduates 70% of students within six years. Ramapo College Of New Jersey awarded about 137 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $40,113 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,491 to complete this degree. Get the full social work details for Ramapo College Of New Jersey

10

The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey came in at #10 for social work this year. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 140 social work students who graduated with this degree at The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Social Work graduates of The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn a median of $44,545 early in their careers. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in social work from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey

11

Montclair State University placed #11 among the best social work schools. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Montclair State University awarded about 147 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Montclair State University earn around $42,925 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social work from Montclair State University

12

Georgian Court University placed #12 among the best social work schools. Located in the city of Lakewood, Georgian Court University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Georgian Court University graduates 54% of students within six years. Georgian Court University awarded about 15 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social work program make about $38,530 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. More information about a degree in social work from Georgian Court University

13

Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus graduates 54% of students within six years. About 30 social work degrees were awarded at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their social work degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn around $54,505 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,770 to complete this degree. Read more about the social work program at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus

14

Passaic County Community College came in at #14 for social work this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Paterson. There were roughly 34 social work students who graduated with this degree at Passaic County Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Passaic County Community College earn around $28,957 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,581 to complete this degree. Read more about the social work program at Passaic County Community College

15

Cumberland County College came in at #15 for social work this year. Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Vineland. Cumberland County College awarded about 13 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social work degree recipients from Cumberland County College generally make around $37,250. Students borrow a median of $15,803 to complete this degree. Read more about the social work program at Cumberland County College

16
Kean University crest
Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University placed #16 among the best social work schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Union. About 47% of students finish within six years. About 45 social work degrees were awarded at Kean University in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $50,074 in their early career. Kean University graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. See the full social work program report for Kean University

17
Ocean County College crest
Ocean County College
Toms River, NJ

Ocean County College earned the #17 position for social work this year. Set in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public institution. About 10 social work degrees were awarded at Ocean County College in the most recent year. Graduates of the social work program make about $41,306 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,792. Get the full social work details for Ocean County College

18

Hudson County Community College came in at #18 for social work this year. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. There were roughly 24 social work students who graduated with this degree at Hudson County Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Hudson County Community College earn around $35,909 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,671 to complete this degree. Read more about the social work program at Hudson County Community College

19

Essex County College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best social work schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Newark. Essex County College awarded about 30 social work degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social work degree from Essex County College earn around $37,915 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,472 to complete this degree. Read more about the social work program at Essex County College

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 25 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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